Trump says Washington needs National Guard protection. Police data says crime is down.
President Donald Trump has declared plans to send National Guard troops to Washington, DC, to help reduce crime in the nation’s capital.
Trump said the federal government would take control of Washington's Metropolitan Police Department.
"I'm announcing a historic action to rescue our nation's capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse," Trump said. About 800 troops will be deployed.
Crime statistics from the FBI and the Washington Metro Police Department, however, indicate crime has been declining in the capital. The Justice Department noted that overall violent crime in Washington has decreased 35% from 2023 and is at a 30-year low.
Here’s what law enforcement statistics say is happening in Washington.
Violent crime in Washington has fallen
A closer look at Washington DC's homicides by year
Washington's homicides in 2024, mapped
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How have crime rates changed in Washington?
How violent crimes have dropped in Washington
Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel say crime and violence are increasing in Washington.
But the Justice Department said in January that compared with 2023, overall violent crime is down, including:
- Homicides: minus 32%
- Robberies: minus 39%
- Armed carjackings: minus 53%
- Assaults with a dangerous weapon: minus 27%
The president also wants homeless people removed from the district. "The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital," Trump posted on Truth Social.
Trump is considering expanding the federal crackdown on crime to other cities, including New York City, Baltimore, Chicago and Oakland, California, Paste BN reported. He did not elaborate.
CONTRIBUTING Joey Garrison, Zac Anderson, Tom Vanden Brook, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Josh Meyer, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy and Sudiksha Kochi
SOURCE Paste BN Network reporting and research; Reuters; CrimeData DC; FBI Crime Data Explorer